The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-11-26

would draw him out.
at seems to me as IL you wouldn't {
mind being in an accident" began.
"Mind It! that's what Tn looking
for! Do you think I'd ride on this mis-.
cradle road for any thing elscp"
l was clearly in for 1t now. must
keep him talking and interested.
"Why do you want an accidentp"
asked, expecting him to tell me how he
loved to hear the timbcrs smashing,
the glass splintcring, and fairly reveled
over the scene of horror and suffering
~ live on 'em," he calmly answered,
"but this Internal road seems to have a
grudge against me. I've been working
1t for two months and must have spent
nigh on to hundred dollars for tickets
and haven't made cent. Only last
week there was beautiful smash-up
to this very train, and would you be-
licve it, was almost the only passen-
ger who wasn't badly hurt!''
| was just about to congratulate him
on his escape when I fortunately re-
mcmbcred his mental condition and
checked myself in time.
'How do you manage to live on acci-
dents?' inquired.
because I'm insured. OF course it
don't pay every one to get insured.
It's all lottery, but 50 far I've been
very fortunate. Do you see that Lego"
he said, poking his right out towards
me.
"Ido."
"Feel the ankle and the foot"
Now. had no desire to investigate
his anatomy, but as / was still uncer-
tain of his responsibility. complied.
ut feels pretty hard" 1 observed,
after lingering it very gently.
Don't be afraid of hurting me-" he
said; "it's woodr'
"Wood!" l exclaimed.
eyes, some time before my first &C.
cident-that foot was my first--a friend
persuaded me to take out an accident
policy. Twas professional billiardist,
and / travelled about a good deal play
ing matches and giving exhibitions.
Well, 1 got into smash-up and that's
the result. 1 got five thousand dollars
for that foot. but my trade was gone. l
couldn't move fast enough round a
table to play in public, so l hired
room and went into the business of
keeping tables. 1t didn't pay and 1
lost nearly all my money. l wasn't
good for any thing else, and didn't
know what to turn to. One day struck
a bright idea. An accident took away
my living; it's only fair that accidents
should keep mel said. So began
looking out for likely bits of road, and
it wasn't much more than month be-
fore l was on beauty. Do You see
this" he continued, pointing to the
eye, the glare of which had SO fright
ened me.
II dc" 1 mildly answered.
'It's glass. Isn't it darlingf So
natural it deceives every one"
'It quite deceived NO." was able to
remark, with absolute truth.
"Glad you like it. I'll give you the
address of the maker. in case you should
ever want one or two. He's away
ahead-the best in the business. Well,
that eye was another 1000"
"Not much for an eye!" l sympa-
thetically murmured.
mo, it wasn't enough. You SIZE they
pay $4,000 for two eyes, and ] don't
think the proportion is right. Bat did
better next time. Feel that arn''
did as was bid. and inquired if it
was also wood.
"Papier-mache!' he said proudly.
"It's always ahead of wood for light
ness and strength. Made by Mason,
best in the biz. Go to him if you ever
want any thing in that line"
"How much did the arm bring you?"
''Five thousand dollars, and that
consider my best speculation.
doesn't the insurance company OBJ
ject to your frequent claims?"
"Well, do little bit in canvassing,
SO my travelling seems to be legitimate.
II should have thought you'd made
enough to retire."
I've got very large family. and
I'm bound to do my best for 'enl.''
But you can hardly conveniently
spare any more limbs. or even another
eye, unless it should be the glass one. F"
mo, that's true. I'm wanting nice
internal injury. or some cracked ribs.
that II give me weekly indemnity of
fifty dollars for about six months.''
But" l began. and then paused, for
I didn't quite know how to phrase my
question delicately. A happy thought
occurred to me. and said: you've
described this insurance business as
lottery; suppose you should draw the
capital prizeP"
"You mean DEATH" he calmly OBJ
served; "then my family would get
$4,000. l think that's fully as much
as what's left of me is worth"
And l was quite able to agree with
him.-IHe Epoch.